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A Durham University student, who died following a crushing incident outside a nightclub in the city, has been named as Olivia Burt from Hampshire.

The 20-year-old is understood to have died on Wednesday night following an incident outside the Missoula venue in Walkergate in the city centre.

A former head girl at Bournemouth School for Girls, Ms Burt was an only child and was in her first year at University College, Durham, where she was studying Natural Sciences.

A keen sailor who had competed for Britain in the European Championships, she had been enjoying a night out with members for the Durham University Sailing Club when the tragedy happened.

Eyewitnesses described how Miss Burt became trapped under a barrier which collapsed as students queued to get into the nightclub just before midnight.

Olivia Burt died when a safety barrier collapsed

It is thought the first year student suffered a head injury when she became trapped under the safety barrier.

A post mortem examination carried out on Thursday confirmed that she had died as a result of head injuries.

A witness, who asked not to be named, said: "They were queuing to get in, my friend was in the queue. There was a metal barrier that they put at the front to stop people coming in.

"They stopped people at the front of the queue from coming in because it was so busy inside, but the people at the back didn't know and kept pushing and one of the barriers fell.

"The girl was stuck under it and people just piled up on top of her. My friend was pulling people off her but there were too many."

Witnesses said she was bleeding heavily from a head wound. Doormen at the venue reportedly made desperate attempts to resuscitate the woman but she sadly died.

Ms Burt was this evening hailed as a student with an "outstanding academic record" and an "exceptional sports woman".

Responding to her death of Ms Burt, Professor David Held, master of University College, Durham, said: "The staff and students of University College, Durham acutely feel the loss of Olivia Burt.

"Olivia arrived in Durham last autumn to begin reading Natural Sciences. She came to Durham with glowing references from her school where she was regarded in the highest possible terms.

"She had an outstanding academic record and was an exceptional sports woman. She was part of the British Sailing team in the European Championships.

"Olivia sailed for more than a decade, quickly finding her place in the university team. She became very active both in college life and the wider university.

"Those students close to her have lost a wonderful friend, whom in their shock they grieve for, alongside her family and friends.

"The college has lost a bright and outstandingly able student. It is hard to come to terms with her loss, and we will miss her greatly."

Detective Superintendent Kevin Weir, from Durham Constabulary, said: “This was a tragic incident and our thoughts are with the family and friends of Olivia during this incredibly sad time."

Police and emergency services were called to the incident just before midnight on WednesdayCredit:
Raoul Dixon/NNP

One eyewitness told the Northern Echo: “I was stood in the queue to get into the club. People were barging to get in. The queue has gone around the fence and as they pushed to get in it caused the fence to fall over.

“The girl was trapped under the fence and crushed. There was a fair bit of panic. One of the security men at the nightclub ran toward her and took his shirt off to stem the bleeding from her head.

“She had lost consciousness and he started to give CPR and was helped by other doormen until the ambulance arrived. She sadly died."

Another student, called Emily, who was in the club at the time, told The Tab Durham how those inside where evacuated following the incident.

The incident took place just before midnight as students were queuing to get into the Missoula venueCredit:
Paul Kingston / NNP

She said: "The lights came on in the club at around midnight and we were all told to get outside. We were all pushed out the front entrance as the back, where the accident occurred, had been barred by the bouncers.

"I waited for some friends for about half an hour and the scene was just awful. The back of the club was being protected by the bouncers so people were sitting on the steps at the side in small and large groups, all coming to terms with things they had seen.

"Many people were sobbing, guys and girls, and everyone was hugging each other and making sure their friends were okay.

"The friends of the victim were making their way to the scene, one girl running to Missoula in hysterics and just screaming 'no'. I've never seen tragedy like that before."

Olivia Burt won a place at Durham University last summer and was studying Life Sciences

In a statement, North East Ambulance Service said: "We received a call at 23.50 to report an incident outside Missoula in Durham city centre in which someone had received a serious head injury.

"CPR was in progress and we sent three resources, including our HART team, as well as on officer, and sadly the patient died at the scene."

A spokesman for Durham Police said: "Officers are investigating the death of a student. The 19-year-old Durham University student died in the vicinity of Missoula night club in Durham following an incident at about 11.55pm last night."

Missoula hosts what it describes as 'Durham's Biggest Student Night' every Wednesday and is open until 2am.

It attracts more than 600 students each week and is popular with members of the university's sports societies.

Owen Adams, Pro-Vice-Chancellor Colleges and Student Experience, Durham University, said: “We are extremely shocked and saddened by the death of a Durham University student in Durham City last night (7 Feb).

“We are offering support to students and staff. Our thoughts are with the student’s family and friends at this very difficult time. We are unable to comment further on what is an ongoing Police investigation.”

Phoenix Security which provides security for the venue declined to comment on the incident. "We cannot make any comments at this stage," a company spokesman said.

Missoula, formerly known as the Slug and Lettuce pub, opened in September 2016 following a £385,000 investment.

A spokesman for Stonegate pub company, which owns the premises, said: "We are unable to comment at the moment due to it being the subject of a police investigation."